how do you attach your manfrotto 501PL plate to you GH1/2?

T

tikigod19

Well-known member
Hi all ive noticed the manfrotto 501HDV is a wideley recommended head to use with the GH1 but I can't get the accompanying quick release plate to stay still on the bottom of my camera.

It rotates and moves around massively as there is no guide hold to put the 2nd pin into.

This is the plate I'm talking about and I really need to use this head as I have a number of them including on a gliderail so being interchangeable is key.
 
I attached one of these to the 501PL plate on my tripod head. Using a regular DSLR RC2 quick release plate on the GH1 makes it easier to use manipulate lenses, swap lenses, and take pictures. You also don't have to re-balance the head every time you attach the camera:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554141-REG/Manfrotto_323_323_RC2_System_Quick.html

I attached one of these to the top of my slider, with its 501PL plate underneath the slider, so that I can instantly throw it onto my tripod head:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/241139-REG/Manfrotto_577_577_Rapid_Connect_Adapter.html



 
Now I see the pictures I think it rings a bell, however the reason I didnt remember it is that (like now) I totally dont understand how it works...

am I right in saying that by buying both of those I would end up with the 200pl-14 on the bottom of the GH1 with the quick release adapter somehow fitted to the tripod 501HDV... even as I type this I realise I'm wrong.

Do you happen to have a picture of this set up?!


never.felt.so.stupid.
 
swyzlstyx said:
I attached one of these to the 501PL plate on my tripod head. Using a regular DSLR RC2 quick release plate on the GH1 makes it easier to use manipulate lenses, swap lenses, and take pictures. You also don't have to re-balance the head every time you attach the camera:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554141-REG/Manfrotto_323_323_RC2_System_Quick.html

I attached one of these to the top of my slider, with its 501PL plate underneath the slider, so that I can instantly throw it onto my tripod head:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/241139-REG/Manfrotto_577_577_Rapid_Connect_Adapter.html

...
Click to expand...
Many thanks for posting this. I've been wrestling with this issue for a couple weeks. At first, I thought about permanently attaching a 501PL plate permanently to my GH2. But it doesn't fit well, and is big and bulky. So...

Based on this thread, I just ordered that 323 RC2 quick mount for my 501PL plates. Now I can leave this new QR plate attached to the camera for carrying around and quickly snap it to my 501PL plate when needed.

Regards,

Dan.
 
I just tighten my plate down nice and snug, almost no movement. Having used both quick release systems, I really feel the 323 isn't snug enough, especially if you plan on using a Follow Focus. But YMMV.
 
swyzlstyx said:
I attached one of these [Manfrotto 323 RC2 quick release adapters] to the 501PL plate on my tripod head. Using a regular DSLR RC2 quick release plate on the GH1 makes it easier to use manipulate lenses, swap lenses, and take pictures.
Click to expand...
This is why I went with the older Manfrotto 701RC2 Fluid Head instead of the 501HDV:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006Z3IFI/ref=oss_product

While the 501HDV's large plate is handy for balancing heavy lenses, the 701's RC2 plate is interchangeable with a wider variety of heads. (Such as my Manfrotto monopod and joystick head.) I've found the 701's shorter lens-balancing range to be adequate for use with the GH1 with most Lumix lenses.
 
Were those pictures always up there?! Didn't see them before I think I now get it! Seems like a good idea to me... Temove from the 501pl up if I want to put cam on the glidetrack with 501hdv already attached.. If I just want to go handheld or change lens then remove the other plate and in turn the camera..

As long as the other plate does stay secure on the gh1 unlike the 501pl
 
tikigod19 said:
Were those pictures always up there?!
Click to expand...

LOL, yeah, I thought maybe they weren't the pics you were looking for...they were the same pics I posted before when this came up. ;) j/k

I'm bored to tears with editing...so I took a buggyload of pics for ya...if they'll shed a little light on my simple, non-filmmaker guy setup:
















<



And these are why you DON'T try to attach a 501PL plate to the bottom of the GH1, with m4/3 lenses...you'll break the lens...





And this is a can of generic spaghetti sauce:

 
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Thanks for the extra pics, that's very kind. I like it. What is the head on your rail? It takes the 501pl then?

No pan arm on either of your heads or just removed for the pics?
 
lpowell said:
This is why I went with the older Manfrotto 701RC2 Fluid Head instead of the 501HDV:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006Z3IFI/ref=oss_product

While the 501HDV's large plate is handy for balancing heavy lenses, the 701's RC2 plate is interchangeable with a wider variety of heads. (Such as my Manfrotto monopod and joystick head.) I've found the 701's shorter lens-balancing range to be adequate for use with the GH1 with most Lumix lenses.
Click to expand...

I never really liked the 701RC2 to be honest, I ended up selling the 3 I had in order to buy 501's and 701's. I found the counterbalance made a big difference and also my 701RC2's didnt tighten fully over time.

In fact I've just realised I dont intend on using a 501HDV with my GH1 but a 701HDV... If I remember right thats the lighter one? I have one of each currently and I think I'll sell the 501 as even with a HMC150 with a couple of accessories I'd be surprised if the 701HDV wasn't just about enough... the 501 is BIIIG
 
tikigod19 said:
Thanks for the extra pics, that's very kind. I like it. What is the head on your rail?
Click to expand...

I've just realised... is that the Manfrotto 577 Rapid Connect Adapter on your rail INSTEAD of a head? Obviously you can't pan with it though? If this is correct this is a good cheap alternative to buying another head to go on a glidetrack.
 
tikigod19 said:
Thanks for the extra pics, that's very kind. I like it. What is the head on your rail? It takes the 501pl then?

No pan arm on either of your heads or just removed for the pics?
Click to expand...

The circular head on top of the rail is the mount the Indislider Mini comes with, and the rectangular part on top of that is the Manfrotto 577 adapter plate: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/241139-REG/Manfrotto_577_577_Rapid_Connect_Adapter.html

I just took the 501PL plate that comes with the 577 and stuck it on the bottom of the Indislider, so that it will mount on my tripod.

I quit using the pan arm thingies several years ago. I'm sure they're handy for shooting motorcycle races and weddings and concerts videos...but IMHO they make your video look like...well...video. Prosumer camcorders/HDDSLRs are so light, it's easier for me to just turn the head by hand...I feel like it gives me more precise control, and my hands are always close to the controls. Just a personal thing. ;)
 
tikigod19 said:
I've just realised... is that the Manfrotto 577 Rapid Connect Adapter on your rail INSTEAD of a head? Obviously you can't pan with it though? If this is correct this is a good cheap alternative to buying another head to go on a glidetrack.
Click to expand...

Exactly! :)
 
This information is great! Does anyone have opinions about a tripod to match the 501HDV head (or another combination)? I am looking for a lighter fluid head/tripod to use with the GH2. My current tripod and head are fairly heavy, and I want the lighter one to carry on hikes. I’ve noticed the 100-300 using ECT mode really requires a steady platform, otherwise there is image shake.
This combination looks like it might work.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/735025-REG/Manfrotto_503HDV_Fluid_Head_w_Gitzo.html

Any opinions? Thanks!
Bill
 
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